Astronomers have discovered that the exoplanet WASP-76b, located about 634 light-years from Earth in the constellation Pisces, experiences extreme weather conditions unmatched by any planet on Earth. The planet’s temperature soars to about 4,350 degrees Fahrenheit (2,400 degrees Celsius), and its atmosphere is ravaged by high-speed iron winds and molten metal rain. The findings highlight the peculiarities of exoplanet atmospheres, especially those of “hot Jupiters” like WASP-76b.
Unique atmospheric phenomenon
The exoplanet is so close to its star that it is tidally locked, meaning one side of WASP-76b always faces the star. The planet’s dayside is so hot that iron vaporizes and is then blown by strong winds to the planet’s cooler nightside. Once there, the iron condenses into molten metal droplets, creating an extremely harsh environment.
The discovery was made by a team of scientists from the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the National Centre of Competence in Research PlanetS (NCCR PlanetS), led by Ana Rita Costa Silva, a PhD student at the Institute of Astrophysics and Science in Spain.
New insights into exoplanet climates
Using the ESPRESSO instrument on the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the team was able to observe and measure the iron wind in the planet’s atmosphere. Christophe Lovis, an astronomer at the University of Geneva, noted that the precision of ESPRESSO enabled the team to gather detailed information about the dynamic processes on WASP-76b. The new findings will help scientists create 3D climate models to better understand the climate of planets outside our solar system.
Overall, WASP-76b continues to reveal extraordinary details about exoplanet atmospheres, providing valuable insights into weather patterns on exoplanets. The discovery of iron winds and molten metal rain deepens our understanding of “hot Jupiter” planets, shedding new light on how extreme planetary climates can be.
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